The challenge: limited space in the city
New York is among the most densely populated cities in the world. For schools, this means there is hardly any room for traditional playgrounds or outdoor sports fields. The Chapin School, founded in 1901 by Maria Bowen Chapin, struggled with exactly that problem. Located on East End Avenue, right across from Carl Schurz Park, the school wanted to provide its students, from preschoolers to grade 12, with ample space for exercise, play and sports.
The solution: building on the roof
In 2021, Chapin opened new floors that greatly expanded opportunities for physical education and sports. Besides a full gymnasium, a floating running track, a dance studio, changing rooms and a training centre, there was one notable highlight: the Rooftop Play Turf.
This roof terrace is much more than a field. It is a multi-purpose exercise and vitality area where children from the junior classes get gym lessons and older pupils (grades 5-8) train or play small games. The roof is also equipped with a climbing wall and a long jump pit, which means the variety of activities is much greater than on a traditional playground.
The Rooftop Play Turf is part of a wider Athletic Centre that includes space for strength training, dance, recovery and team meetings. Thus, sport is not only experienced physically, but also socially and mentally embedded in school life.
Safety and design in balance
A sports field on a roof naturally brings challenges. How do you ensure optimal safety, without a heavy or closed structure that takes away light and views?
The architects chose Jakob Webnet, a transparent steel cable net that prevents students or sports equipment from falling over the edge. For Chapin, micro 2 mm cable with an 80 mm mesh was chosen.
The benefits are huge:
- Maximum safety: strong, shockproof and durable.
- Lightweight: requires minimal support and hardly strains the existing structure.
- Transparent: preserves both sunlight and views of Manhattan and the East River.
- The result is a safe but open space where students can move freely.
A new standard for schools in a city
The Rooftop Play Turf is more than an architectural solution, it is a statement. It shows how schools in densely populated cities can still prioritise health, exercise and vitality. A lack of space need not be a limitation, but can actually become an opportunity for innovation.
This development is part of a wider trend. Worldwide, roofs are being rediscovered as valuable places: for greenery, relaxation, sports or community activities. From Barcelona to Rotterdam, projects are emerging that show that rooftops literally and figuratively offer space for a more vital city.
International comparison: from New York to Europe
In Copenhagen, several schools have rooftop football pitches, surrounded by nets so children can play safely. In the Netherlands, the project Dakpark Rotterdam shows how rooftops can be designed as public parks with sports and exercise functions.
"By transforming our roof into a space for play and sports, we are giving every Chapin student the opportunity to move, connect and grow together, all under one roof."
What makes Chapin special is its structural integration into everyday school life. The roof is not a luxury addition, but an essential part of the educational programme. Exercise is not an afterthought, but woven into the daily routine of all students. The Athletic Centre also emphasises the social side of sport: there are team rooms, discussion areas and facilities where students come together to discuss strategies, prepare mentally or simply connect as a team.
Lessons for initiators and designers
What can we learn from a school roof in New York? More than you might think. The Chapin project reveals three lessons that are also relevant for organisations and employers:
- Think vertically When horizontal space is lacking, vertical expansion offers opportunities. Companies often have rooftops or unused spaces that can easily be transformed into vitality spaces.
- Combine security and inspiration Security or regulation need not get in the way of creativity. Jakob Webnet's transparency proves that security can also be aesthetic and open.
- Integrate vitality into the daily rhythm Exercise works best when it is not an extra activity, but part of the work or school day. For Chapin students, exercising on the roof is the most normal thing in the world. Employers can copy this principle by embedding vitality in their culture and environment.
Key Facts
Locatie: Chapin School, 100 East End Avenue, New York
Founded: 1901 by Maria Bowen Chapin
Athletic Centre: gymnasium, running track, dance studio, training centre, changing rooms, team rooms
Rooftop Play Turf: multifunctional sports roof with climbing wall and long jump pit
Opening: 2021, part of a wider renovation
Safety: Jakob Webnet, 2 mm cable, 80 mm mesh size
Use: daily gym class, training sessions and small competitions
The 360° Takeaway
Chapin School's Rooftop Play Turf shows that lack of space can be a source of creativity. With smart technology and a clear vision, you can turn a roof into an inspiring place for health, exercise and connection.
For schools, it means more opportunities for children to exercise. For organisations, it is a reminder that vitality does not depend on perfect conditions, but on how you use existing resources.
So the question is: when you look at a roof, do you see an unused surface - or a new playing field for vitality?